BOOK NOW to have the best choice for your Workshop date! During Sale-A-Bration I'll be featuring great project ideas with the Limited Edition Sale-A-Bration freebies. If you prefer, you may also order direct anytime from my ONLINE STORE...but that's nowhere near as fun as having a stamp-date with me :-)

LIVE IN OR AROUND COLORADO SPRINGS?
I'm holding Part II of my Occasions Mini & Sale-A-Bration Open House on Tuesday, February 1st (2011) at my home, from 7:00-9:00pm. Email me to RSVP and get directions!

This would also be cute if you made it with the Filled With Love stamp set, and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper. Click HERE for more details on that promotion. Today is the LAST DAY TO ORDER those items, so get yours NOW, and you can make these super easy Ghirardelli Chocolate Square treats for your sweeties!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

I made some little treat bags for a craft fair before the holidays, and was asked for the measurements. I decided to use the same idea for Valentine treats, and post it to my blog so I could share the instructions:

These are super easy to make, just get 4 Hershey Nuggets and cut a 1" x 3" strip of patterned paper or decorated card stock to cover them. I used SNAIL to adhere the paper, and made sure to burnish it down well. The covered Nuggets will go in a little box bottom to hold them in place, so they don't go bouncing around in the cello bag. The box bottom is 3-3/4" x 3", and you score 1/2" in from all sides. Then, make a small snip on each of four score marks (shown by red arrows in the picture below), cutting ONLY up to the next score line. This will create four little flaps.

Fold up all the edges toward the center of the sheet, and glue each of the four little flaps inside the box. I highly recommend Tombow Multipurpose adhesive for this step, it just takes a little bit and it will really hold. You might get away with using Mini Glue Dots, but those will only work if you burnish them down super well. All four of the covered Nuggets just fit right inside the box bottom, as shown below. You'll slide this little box bottom of Nuggets in a Small Cello Bag (3x5), and set it aside.

Now, to make the topper. The topper is 4-1/2" x 3-1/4", scored in half at 2-1/4", so that it folds to 3-1/4" x 2-1/4". The patterned paper layer is 3" x 2". Then just add whatever decoration you want. Adhere the topper over the top of the cello bag with the box bottom of 4 Nuggets inside. I used SNAIL to hold the topper on, and it worked well--again, I burnished firmly.

TIPS: I much prefer using patterned paper on the Nuggets and on the background of the topper, and I use sheets from the same package to ensure coordination of the colors. The measurements for these pieces make it easy to evenly use sheets of 12 x 12 paper. I used a silver brad on my sample, to match the chocolate wrappers. If you use Nuggets with gold wrappers, it matches better if you use gold brads. If you purchase the Nuggets in an assortment at a bulk warehouse store, you can get better prices. I divided up my bag in groups of 4 Nuggets, so that all 4 were the same color wrapper.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

To make the sample above, I actually enlarged the pattern 110%. That makes the mailbox cover piece 5-1/2" x 4-1/8", and the bottom piece 2-3/4" x 4-1/8". The little card in the background fits on its side inside the mailbox, and it is 2-3/4" x 4-1/4", folded in half. The two candy bars will also fit inside with the card, and they are Hershey snack size .49oz bars, and the card stock covering them measures 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".

TIPS: Make your first samples with scratch copy paper and SNAIL adhesive until you become familiar with assembly. Roll wheel image over card stock at an angle, so that it's not so noticeable if it's not exactly lined up with the edges. If you cut the mailbox cover and bottom pieces with the Tabletop Cutter instead of trimming them out from the pattern, you'll get straighter and neater sides. Pierce holes through cover and bottom for brads before assembling. Be sure to punch brad hole on flag pole far enough down so that the flag pole does not extend past the bottom of the mailbox. Give with LOVE :-)

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Holy cow, this is the first day the kids have been to school since their half day on December 17th to start their holiday break, some illness last week when they were supposed to go back for a couple days, and a snow day yesterday! I have a much easier time getting things done when they're at school. Anyway, I guess I'm on a Valentine kick lately...which is appropriate for the season, at least. Below is a simple card featuring just one image from the Define Your Life stamp set, the Big Shot (one die, one folder), and the Decorative Label Punch.

This was super easy to make, so if you didn't get a chance to send out holiday cards last month, set your goals to send out some cute valentines like this one, instead! Your valentine will definitely stand out as memorable. Oh, and this card is almost entirely flat, especially for mailing, so no worries over extra postage or special handling.

Monday, January 10, 2011

If you're looking for a simple, quick treat to make for Valentine's Day, this one is great. Inside is one Kit Kat snack bar and one Hershey snack bar (both are the .49 oz size):

Cute, huh? You can even tuck your business card in there behind the chocolate, to make a memorable impression! What I like about this project is that it uses very few supplies, NO adhesive, and you can actually cut the supplies down even further and go bare bones with it. You can make it with just the Mini Envelopes, I {Heart} Hearts stamp set, and a Real Red ink pad. Of course, you could kick this up a notch, too, and really doll it up if you want. I'm thinking along these lines: Very Vanilla envelopes, Antique Brads and Trinkets, Crochet Trim, Medium Jewelry Tag Punch, Tiny Tags stamp set, and some Linen Thread. (Maybe I'll post one of those tomorrow!)

INSTRUCTIONS: All you have to do is seal a Whisper White Square Mini Envelope, and turn it over and decorate the front. Then, punch the top off with the Scallop Border Punch, and sponge it. (or just trim one end off if you don't have the punch) Tuck the candy bars in, wrap a ribbon around and tie it in a knot, and highlight the knot with a rhinestone. My only TIP is that the "bag" has a nicer top if you make sure and orient the sealed flap to the bottom of the back of the bag, as you can see in the picture below.

As a Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator, you have all the fulfillment of enjoying the same products you've used as a customer, plus these great PERKS:

NEVER PAY FULL PRICE! Demonstrators always receive at least a 20% discount on retail products, and can qualify for a higher rebate through monthly sales totals.

GET A REGULAR DOSE OF STAMPIN' INSPIRATION! As a demonstrator, you get a full-color monthly magazine full of samples, business ideas, and stamping and scrapbooking techniques and tips. You also have access to a demonstrator sample gallery, and tons of other multimedia training material through the Stampin' Up! web site, and an exclusive Demonstrator-Only online community. Seriously, you want to learn more about stamping? Become a Demonstrator!

EARN FREE STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCT through demonstrator incentives and promotions, and even earn an all-expense paid incentive trip for two!

GET A TAX BREAK THROUGH STAMPING! Seize the opportunity to create a situation where your stamping pays for itself! As a demonstrator, all your stamping purchases can qualify as tax-deductible business expenses...WOW.

MAKE MONEY DOING WHAT YOU LOVE! Earn extra money to support your stamping habit, or to supplement, or even replace your family income! Are you unemployed? Hire yourself, to do what you love! Have a flexible job where you choose the hours and events you'd like to work. You can teach rubber stamping and earn money from customers ordering the great products you show them, you can earn money through holding classes where you determine the price (and therefore, the profit), you can even sell hand-stamped products at craft fairs or online--or any combination of those strategies!

LEARN THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE & NETWORK WITH SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATORS! Attend exclusive demonstrator training events and network with others who love what you love, and have thriving businesses, who can teach you how to also have a thriving business, all while you stamp and swap with the newest products!

BE RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR STAMPING TALENT! Stampin' Up! holds an Artisan Award contest every year, where 10 stampers each win a $500 SU! shopping spree, on top of a $500 prize check, and a special dinner with executive company staff...but you must be a demonstrator to enter. This is an incredibly prestigious and highly coveted award. In addition, you have the chance to win one free stamp set monthly, in any of the categories of the art contests featured in the demonstrator newsletter, or by winning the So Shelli Creative Challenge.

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In all my years of doing this, I have NEVER heard anyone say they regret having signed up--whether they continued with it after their initial startup period, or not. Think of this: you get to customize your kit to choose the merchandise you know you will LOVE and will definitely use in your crafting, you get tons of support, and the opportunity to make as much more out of it as you'd like. And, the Starter Kit is so inexpensive that you can quickly earn back your investment and run your business in the black, debt-free nearly from the start, because there is no inventory to carry.

It's super easy, it's all online...you can customize your Starter Kit with your choice of stamp sets and colors. If you want some tips on choices, just email me (or call me at 719-205-5957, and I can call you back if it's long distance) for suggestions.

I'm happy to talk to you about, or send you, more details about how it all works--with absolutely no obligation. The information is free, and the choice is yours...I'm just extending the opportunity. Your honesty is always appreciated and respected, so you can determine if it's a good fit for you without censoring your concerns when you're talking to me :-) Once you're ready, just click on my Demonstrator Business Web Site Recruiting Page, acknowledge the terms, and then customize your Starter Kit!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Through the magic of My Digital Studio®, I have created three more cards you can print out from PDF and give away. Please read the terms at the download link below, and note that your download of any of the PDF cards signifies your acceptance:

The cool thing is that I did next to nothing to create these cards--they were Designer Templates included in some of the My Digital Studio add-on Digital Downloads I purchased. On the first two cards, I just created the back side by duplicating the front. On the third card I moved some elements around a little on the front and made a few changes on the embellishments, then added the X's and O's across the bottom. It was probably meant to be a holiday card, but it's pretty frosty in Colorado in February so I think it makes a great Valentine card.

The great thing is that I can have these cards professionally printed by Stampin' Up!, through my copy of My Digital Studio. It only costs about $2 per card, and that includes a mailing envelope! Plus, I don't personally like making multiples of cards, so I LOVE that I can design it once and get it printed in whatever quantity I want, whenever I want more. Cool.

Friday, January 7, 2011

{Note: If you're getting these posts in a blog reader, you might want to jump over to my home page to see my new blog header--it was made with images from My Digital Studio®!}

The Stampin' Up! 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog debuted on January 4th, and runs through April 30, 2011. Things are a bit hectic around here because my kids are supposed to be back in school but they're sick. I was counting on them being occupied elsewhere so I could get some critical tasks completed, take down holiday decorations and rearrange, so I'm kind of behind now. In the meantime, I thought I'd post some fun samples I made at a demonstrator meeting before the holidays, to help keep you inspired and excited until I can come back to give you a more thorough walk through!

Features NEW Create a Cupcake stamp set & Coordinating Build a Cupcake Punch, plus Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, and Red Glimmer Paper for the cherry on top!

Features NEW Fun Flowers Bigz XL Die, Springtime Vintage DSP, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, and a SNEAK PEEK at an image from the FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set called Punch Bunch!

Features NEW Petal Cone Bigz L Die, Vintage Flower Adornments, First Edition Specialty DSP, and a SNEAK PEEK at some images from the FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set called Bliss (it's a must-have)!

Seriously, I'm sure I say this every time, but this is like the BEST mini catalog EVER! So much stuff that coordinates with so much other stuff...I don't even really like flowers and birds, and I'm sure no seamstress, but I want it ALL!

Click HERE to see the 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog (or right click and Save As to download it), or browse through it in my ONLINE STORE (click the Occasions Mini link in the left sidebar).

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